56 ChaPter 3
the next day, planting day, is very cold and icy. the
children gather around an outdoor table to cut the potatoes
into pieces, each of
which contains one
sprout. the children put
the pieces back in the
basket and move over
to the planting area.
Placing their shovel tips
to the frozen soil, the
children ask, “how do
we mix it when it’s icy?
it is popsicle dirt!” they
each dig a hole in the
resistant soil. “this is hard work.” they
place their seed potatoes in the hole
with the green sprouts facing up, cover
and then mound soil over them. after
watering the mounds, the children mark
their potato hills with a sprig of rosemary
supplied by the teacher. Kiri asks,
“where is the sign? Let’s make a sign. it should say, ‘only potatoes.’” Kiri
and madison head inside and make a sign. the teacher laminates it, and
the next day all the children gather to
“plant” the sign in the garden. “good
luck. i hope you grow. bye,” whispers
Kiri to the potato hill as she
walks away.
LensFinal.indd 56 9/16/10 10:46:47 AM